Boyce Family Establishes MGE Endowed Chair

Nov. 17, 2022
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Greg Boyce was accepted to two universities after he finished high school. But a springtime visit to Tucson made it an easy choice: He was going to study engineering at the University of Arizona.

"Obviously, I've never regretted making that decision," said Greg Boyce, who earned his bachelor's degree in mining engineering in 1976 and went on to a successful 40-year career in the global energy and mining industry. Among his achievements was leading companies including Rio Tinto Energy and Peabody Energy; he retired from the latter as executive chairman in 2015. Additionally, he served on the boards of directors for Monsanto and Marathon Oil and currently serves on the boards of Newmont Mining and the Heard Museum. His wife, Lisa, a 1978 business administration alumna he met at UA, has been by his side throughout.

With a $1.5 million gift to UA, and a plan to give an additional $1 million, the couple will establish the Gregory H. And Lisa S. Boyce Endowed Department Leadership Chair in Mining and Geological Engineering. Endowed chairs help the university attract and retain faculty members who have achieved national or international distinction in their fields. Kray Luxbacher, former head of the Department of Mining and Minerals at Virginia Tech, joined the university in August 2022 as inaugural holder of the chair.

"Expanding and strengthening our mining and geological engineering program has been one of my top priorities since I joined the college in 2019, and I am thrilled that Greg and Lisa have decided to make such a generous contribution to that mission," said David W. Hahn, the Craig M. Berge Dean of the College of Engineering. "Greg's long and impactful career is a perfect testament to the value of a mining engineering education. We are proud to name this leadership chair after two such successful University of Arizona alumni."